To unlock value for employees and customers, companies implementing artificial intelligence must be able to access and interpret vast amounts of internal data. However, much of this data is often inaccessible, residing in systems and formats that current teams cannot readily utilize. Databricks aims to solve this challenge by making this information available, positioning Chief Information Officer Naveen Zutshi as a key figure in this effort.
"My focus has been: How do I enable all of them to be builders?" Zutshi stated, referring to Databricks' approximately 11,000 employees. He believes the answer lies in Genie, an AI agent that allows employees to quickly and easily query company data. This capability enables them to conduct research, automate tasks, or even build applications.
Zutshi described Genie as an "AI co-worker." His work on the underlying data governance for Genie has benefited Databricks, which he referred to as "customer zero" for the company's products. Additionally, customers such as Novo Nordisk, Virgin Atlantic, and Unilever are utilizing Genie to facilitate what he calls the "democratization of data and AI."
Zutshi is recognized as one of TIME's 2026 Executives of the Year for his contributions to technology and data. Investors in Databricks include Salesforce, where TIME co-chair and owner Marc Benioff serves as CEO.